Apparatus for use in displaying advertisements, notices, pictures, or the like



Oct. 19 1926. 1,604,051

. P. L. JOHNSQN APPARATUS FOR uss IN DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS, NOTICES, PICTURES, OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 19 1926.

ARPARATUS FOR usE IN bIP PICTURES, OR Filed Nov.

LAYING ADVE RTISEMENTS, NOTICES, E LIKE 1925 NSON 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1,604,051 JOHNSON PLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS, NOTICES PICTURES, OR LIKE Filed Nov. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 19 1926.

V P. L. APPARATUS FOR USE IN DIS THE 25 Innenbr; E9 5. zhhzsqrv.

B WM ailbrney Oct. 19 1926.

P. L. JOHNSON APPARATUS FOR USE IN DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS NOTICES v PICTURES,. OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 25 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented 0a. 19, 1926.

rural) STATES htidadlfil PERCY LAW JOHNSON, OF KINEION, ENGLAND.

AIPABATUS FOR USE IN DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS, NOTICES, PICTURES, OR

7 i THE LIKE.

Application filed November 25, 1925. Serial No. 71,416.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in displaying advertisements, notices, pictures, or the like, in which the characters, pictures, signs, or the like, are carried on levers, bars, bands, or the like, and are immersed in an opaque liquid contained in atank with a transparent front face or window; and means are provided for independent operation of the several sets of levers, bands, or sets of bands, or the like, which carry the characters, or the like, in order to cause the said characters or the like to move to or from the said window or the like for the purpose of rendering them visible or invisible as desired, such means comprising a revolvable member for each set of levers, band, setof bands, or the like, the said member functioning to move forward against the window all the characters or the like which are under its control and to hold the same against the window as long as is desired.

Apparatus as aboveset forth is described in the specification of my British Patent N o The present invention may in brief be said to consist in a construction and arrangement of apparatus of the nature of that referred to above. This construction and arrangement will be described in the following specification: the invention will be defined in the annexed claims.

The accompanying drawings illustratean advertising sign constructed in accordance with the present invention.

lnthese drawings Figure 1 1s a front elevation with part of the sign broken away in order to reveal the driving mechanism.

Figure 2 is a side elevation.

Figure 3 is a side sectional elevation on the line X-X of Figure 1. t

Figure at shows, on an enlarged scale, the upper part of the mechanism shown in Figure 3. i

Figure 5 is a front elevation, on the same scale, of the mechanism shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side sectional elevation of the four cams only, taken on the line X-X of Figure 1 but on an enlarged scale.

In the advertising sign shown in the drawings one side of a tank a consists of a frame Z) carrying a sheet of glass 0, the whole assembly forming a liquid-tight tank having a axis of the shaft.

tank is closed by a lid 6 which renders the tank vapour tight.

Shafts 7, equal in number to the number of rows of characters in the sign-in this case fourare supported, one vertically above the other, in the tank a. Each shaft is parallel both to the window 0 and to the bottom of the tank a, and is carried in bearings in the walls 71/ of the tank. One end of each shaft f projects through the same side of the tank a and'carries a chain wheel A chain 72 passes over the four chain wheels 2' andfalso over a fifth chain wheel m which is continuously driven by an electric motor a, secured to the back of the tank a, by means of abelts and reduction gearing t and u.

Each of the shafts f carries two cams which are formed by cutting away part of the surface of a hollow cylinder 1. Each cylinder 1 isusupported at its ends on discs 2 securedto the corresponding shaft f. A portion of the surface of each cylinder is cut away so as to leave one edge 3 parallel to the aXis of the shaft 7 while the other edge describes a helix with respect to the The edges 3 and 4 form cams by meansiof which the characters of the sign are moved, in the manner hereinafter. described. A removable frame, consisting of two parallel bars 5, arranged vertically and connected and spacedapart by rods 6, is supported inside the tank a. The distance between the bars 5 is such as to allow of thefraine being slidden into and out of the tank a through the opening din its top. The 1 lower ends of the bars 5 have notches 7 which engage withstuds 8 on theinside of the walls 7: of the tank 11.. The ends of the uppermost rod 6 are extended and the extensions 9 slide in grooves 10in blocks 11 carried on the inside of the walls h of the tank a. There are as many rods ('3' as there are shafts f and the studs 8 and grooves 10 support and position the frame 5 inside the tank a so that each rod 6 isin front of and parallel to, but higher than, the corresponding shaft f.

A number of levers 12, each of which corresponds to one character of the sign, are carried loosely on sleeves 13, which sleeves l U t) are carried on, and grip lightly, the rods 6.

The number of levers carried on each rod 6 is equal to the number of characters which may be rendered visible in the row corresponding to that rod. The levers 12 are allow ed to depend vertically from the rods 6 and each lever carri-es'a character at its low- ,er end and s provided, also at its lowerend and on the side nearerto the cylinders 1 wzth a PTOWGUOII 14.

The characters 15 are formed in relief on blocks 16, the relief being of a depth greaterthan thedistance through which objects can be seen through the opaque liquid. Each block 16 is secured to a plate 17 which is attachedto the lower end of one of the levers 12. The back of each block 16 is grooved so that it'can be slidden on to the correspondingly"formed plate ll'. A proj'ection 18011 the 'top of the back of each block 16 engages with the top of the plate 17 when the character has reached its correst position with regard to the plate 17.

the two projections.

In the case of characters such as periods. commas, and the like, which appear only above or below the horizontal centre line of the row of characters, a pin 19, having the same colour as the opaque liquid, is attached to the block 16 on which the character is formed so that it comes into contact with the window 0 and ensures that the face of such character is brought truly against the window.

Each plate 17 has a fpairof parallel extensions 20 which embrace the end of the each plate and its corresponding lever and is housed in a recess 23 formed intheerv tensions and lever. r

The gap between the edges 3 and 4 at the left-hand. end of the uppermost .oylinder l is sufliciently large to allow of the 'entryot' the projections 14 on the levers 12. vAt the right-hand end of'this cylinder the gap has increased by an "amount corresponding to the circumferential angle described by the helical edge 4. In the Tother cylinders the gap at'the left-hand end isequal to that at the right-hand end .ofthe cylinder immediately above it. The relative positions of the cylinders 1 'upon the shafts f is clearly;

shown in Figure 6, iro1n whiclrit will be seen that all the edges 3, each of which is parallel to the axes ofthe shafts f, are, arranged .to pass the projections 14 on the levers 12 simultaneously. I

-multaneously rendered invisible.

The operation of the mechanism of the above-described advertising sign is as forlows:-

Assume that the parts are at rest and that the projections 14 on all the levers 12 are in the position shown in the lower part '01 Figure 4, i. e. entering into the space between the edges 3 and 4 of the cylinders 1.

lfitone of the characters is in contact with the WlIlClOW 0 and all the characters are consequently"invisible. WVhen the driving me tor a is started the shafts 7 are simultaneously caused to rotate continuously, the uppermost and lowermost shafts in a counterclockwise directionand the other two shafts clockwise, as indicated by the arrows in Figures '3, 4and 6.

The helical edge '4 of the uppermost cylinder lengages the projections 14 on the levers 12 of the uppermost row of characters. The projections 14 ride on to the surface of the cylinder 1 and cause the levers 12 to pivot-aboutjthe rod 6 andto bring the characterssuccessively into contact with the window 0, thus renderingthem successivel visible from left to right when the helical edge 4v of the uppermost row has causedthe last letter of that-row to appear, the helical edge of the cylinder corresponding to the second row, will be about tocause the first character in that row to appear. This will be evident from a study of Figure 6 and from the explanation given above. lVhen all the characters of the second row have successively appeared those of the third row will follow and these will in t-urn be followed by the characters of the fourth row. Allthe characters are now vlslb e andremain v sible until the pro ections 14 rideover the edges-3 of the cylinders 1 and enter the spaces in the cylinders, which they do simultaneously.

The levers 12 thereupon tall backwards by gravity and all thecharacters are simultaneously withdrawn from contact with the window 0 and therefore si- Thoy remain invisible until, on continued rotation ,of thecylinderso, the above-described cycle of operations re-commenc-es and continues to be repeated until'the driving motor his stopped. V

By varying the relative positions of the edges 4 and/or changing the direction of rotation of the's'hafts f, the rows of letters maybei nade to appear in anydesired order and the letters in each row may be made to appeareither simultaneously or successively as desired, For instance by reversing the direction of rotation of the shafts f m the above described sign simultaneous appear ance and-successivedisappearance ofthe lettersjmay becaused, the last letter in the lowermost .rowbeing thefirstto be rendered nvis ble.

Then it-is desired to changetheadvertisement the 'frame 5which frame carries the characters forming the advertisement is removed from the tank through the opening cl. The blocks 16 are then removed from the plates 17 and other blocks, carrying the characters forming a new advertisement, substituted.

The sleeves 13, on which the levers 12 are carried, are easily slidable along the rods 6 and thus allow the levers l2 and the characters which they carry to be readily spaced as desired along the rods 6.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Apparatus for displaying advertisements, notices, pictures and the like including a tank, an opaque liquid in said tank, a window in said tank, carriers, means for supporting said carriers in rows in said tank, display matter carried on said carriers, and means for causing the said carriers to be moved to and from the said window for the purpose of renderingthe said display matter visible or invisible, said last mentioned means comprising a revolvable member for each row of carriers, a cylindrical surface on each of said revolvable members, said cylindrical surface being cut away to provide a gap extending longitudinally of said member (that is, parallel to its axis of revolution), means whereby said revolvable members are connected together, means whereby said revolvable members are continuously and simultaneously driven, and projections on the said first-mentioned means, both edges of said gap in said cylindrical surface on each member, and the surface of said member, co-acting with said projections in the corresponding row to move said display matter into contact with said window and to retain it there temporarily and then to allow of its withdrawal therefrom.

2. Apparatus for displaying advertise merit-s, notices, pictures and the like including a tank, an opaque liquid in said tank, a window in said tank, carriers, means for supporting said carriers in rows in said tank, display matter carried on said cariers, and means for causing the said carriers to be moved to and from the said Window for the purpose of rendering the said display matter visible or invisible, said lastmentioned means comprising. a revolvable member for each row of carriers, a cylindrical surface on each of said revolvable members, said cylindrical surface being cut away to provide a gap extending longitudinally of said member (that is, parallel to its axis of revolution), means whereby said revolvable members are connected together, means whereby said revolvable members are continuously and simultaneously driven, and projections on the said first-mentioned means, both edges of said gap in said cylindrical surface on each member, and the surface of said member, co-acting with said projections in the corresponding row to move said display matter into contact with said window and to retain it there temporarily and then to allow of its withdrawal therefrom, the arrangement of gaps in the said surfaces on said members with respect to one another being such that the several rows of display matter are rendered visible in any desired order.

3. Apparatus for displaying advertiseients, notices, pictures and the like including a tank, an opaque liquid in said tank, a window in said tank, carriers, means for snppor.ing said carriers in rows in said tank, display matter carried on said carriers, and means for causing the said carriers to be moved to and from the said window for the purpose of rendering the said display matter visible or invisible, said last-mentioned means comprising a revolvable member for each row of carriers, a cylindrical surface on each of said revolvable members, said cylindrical surface being cut away to provide a extending longitudinally of said memher (that is, parallel to its axis of revolution), a helical edge to said gap, means whereby said revolvable members are connected together, means whereby said revolvable members are continuously and simultaneously driven, and projections on the said first-mentioned means, both edges of said gap in said cylindrical surface on each member, and the surface of said member, co-acting with said projections in the coresponding row to move said display matter into contact with said window and to retain it there temporarily and then to allow of its withdrawal therefrom, the arrangement of gaps in the said surfaces on said members with respect to one another being such that the several rows of display matter are rendered visible in any desired order,

4. Apparatus for displaying advertisements, notices, pictures and the like including a tank, an opaque liquid in said tank, a window in said tank, carriers, means for supporting said carriers in rows in said tank, display matter carried on said carriers, and means for causing the said carriers to be moved to and from the said window for the purpose of rendering the said display matter visible or invisible, said last men tioned means comprising a revolvable me1nher for each row of carriers, a. cylindrical surface on each of said revolvable members, said cylindrical surface being cut away to provide a gap extending longitudinally of said member (that is, parallel to its axis of revolution), a helical forward edge to said gap, a straight-rearward edge to said gap, means whereby said revolvable members are connected together, means whereby said relie volvable members are continuously and simultaneously driven, and projections on the said first-mentioned means, both edges of said gap in said cylindrical surface on each member, and the surface of said member, co-acting \vithsaid projections in the corresponding rou to move said display matter intorcontact \vith'said indow and to retain it there temporarily and then to allow of its Withdrawal therefrom, the arrangement ofgaps in the said surfaces on said members with respect to one another be ing such that the several rows of displa matter are rendered visible in any desired order.

5. Apparatus for displaying advertisements, notices, pictures and the like includ ing a tank, an opaque liquid in said tank, a WlIlClOW in said tank, carriers, levers for supporting said carriers in rows in said tank, display matter carried onsaid carriers, and means for causing the said levers to move said carriers to and from the said Window for the purpose of rendering the said display matter visible or invisible, said means comprising a revolvable member for each row of carriers,-a cylindrical surface on each of tion.

said 're'volvable members, said cylindrical surface being cut away to provide a gap helical forward edge to said gap, a

straight-rearward edge to said gap, a chain Wheel on each of said revolvable members, a chain passing .over said chain Wheels, an electric 'lilOtOI continuously driving said chain, and projectionsonsaid levers, both dges of said gap in said cylindrical surface on each member, and the surface-of said member, co-acting with saidpr'ojections in the'corrcspondinig row to move said display matter into contact with said Window and to retain there temporarily and then to allow ofits Withdrawal therefrom, the arrangement of gaps in the said surfaces on said-members with respect to one another lieing such that the several roWs'o'f display matter are rendered visible in'any desired order and are rendered invisible simultaneously. i v

I hereby sign my name'to this specificarnac-Y LAW Jonusoii. 

